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Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust celebrates 50 years of "Firsts"

12/22/2015

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By Molly Gaskin, who has long been associated with the UKWC
 
My friends in our 50 years the Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust has initiated many FIRSTS in our twin-island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
 
In 1977/78 we initiated the FIRST Environmental Education audio-visual programme in T & T and this was taken to schools in town and country, throughout both islands.
 
In 1981, the PaPWFT introduced Nature & Wildlife Photography to the public of T&T at Artcreators, Coblentz Avenue so that we could raise funds for our work at the Trust.  It was totally new to the public and I am pleased to say it was a complete success!
 
In 1982, the Trust presented the First Environmental Education Curriculum for schools to the Minister of Education of the Government of the day.
 
In 1983, the Trust initiated a Hands-On Environmental Education programme for primary & secondary schools which include outdoor field work; pond-dips; leaf & feather labs.  By doing this, we brought the written word to LIFE and for the first time in our country we also initiated a special hands-on programme for pre-schoolers.  Not even the little ones were forgotten!
 
Again in 1983, another FIRST!  The PAPWFT designed the first Sea Turtle Recovery Plan for Trinidad & Tobago; not only patrolling the beaches on foot & tagging, yearly from 1979, but also with the help of both the National Security Helicopter and a commercial helicopter service, we were able to carryout the first aerial surveys of nesting turtles on the East & Northwestern coast for this Recovery Plan. In 1985 the Trust initiated Turtle Patrols @ Matura beach as part of our outreach environmental education programme for Secondary school students.
 
In 1989, the PAPWFT introduced education on Climate Change in the Trust’s school & community programmes.
 
In 1993, the PAPWFT successfully lobbied the Government of T&T to accede to the Ramsar Convention: The Trust presented a paper “Wetland Reserves & Public Awareness @ the 5th Ramsar conference of Contracting Parties, Kushiro, Japan, 1993; the first time a West Indian national, a ngo representative and a woman, was invited to do so.
 
In 2001, assisted by SOHOM (Spouses of the Heads of Missions) the Trust again, in another FIRST for our Country, provided a boardwalk around the Trust’s main breeding lake for the physically challenged and the elderly, our too often forgotten ones. We designed and we implement a special Environmental Therapy Programme for these people with special needs; including the mentally challenged, recovering addicts, battered women as well as the hearing and sight impaired.  We open up a world of peace, beauty and education to people who normally would not be able to participate.  Indeed my friends, the Blind do see @ the PaPWFT.
 
The list goes on and on.  We have many other “FIRSTS” under our belts; like the creation in 1984 of T&T’s and the region’s FIRST truly interpretive trail for awareness & education of the value of our forests and their links to wetlands and the linkages with all LIFE.  The trail was cut, big trees planted with the help of our Regiment, Coastguard and Forestry; signage and pictures were then added. Today, the trail is also up kept with the help of some of our Directors, here with us today, thank you.
 
And another interesting first was in 1987 and our journey to Toco with TTT (T&T Television) out on such a distant location for their first time, to film the work that we had been doing for months with the Scouts & Guides & the Community to clean-up the beaches and the public areas, restore the Toco Lighthouse and the environs.  We had also been going to the schools in the area weekly on an Environmental Awareness & Education Programme.
Wonderful, factual stories, too long and too many to tell today; but suffice it to say, good satisfying memories.
 
Daily, as a part of our aviculture, research, breeding and release programmes, we bring back to T&T’s natural environment our endangered wetland species; which are our heritage.
 
We continue and will continue doing as we have done through the years; to promote the wise use of our Natural Resources as this is linked to the social & economic well-being  of people; to raise awareness that all life is linked and interdependent; to research, breed and release, thousands of our birds back into their natural habitats here in Trinidad & Tobago, while at the same time educating our children and some adults that we must have pride in our Country and ourselves and to adopt the Trust’s Motto “TO KNOW IS TO LOVE TO LOVE IS TO PRESERVE”
 
For the PAPWFT, it has been a long road and not always an easy one, but, we have, so far, succeeded and we could not have done it without so many of you; some here with us today, some not with us, but always cherished and remembered. As we look toward the future, today, the celebration of the beginning of our 50th Anniversary, a Golden Year, is another dream come true.
 
 
Molly R. Gaskin, President, Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust.
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Historical Tour 16 September 2015

8/25/2015

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Our outing on Wednesday 16th September will now be a historical Tour from POS to Old St. Joseph Town then on Unilever for an interesting factory visit. Please sign up to UKWC email. We plan to leave POS about 830/9am, return approx 1pm depending on traffic.
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Advertising in UKWC Yearbook

8/16/2015

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This year we are introducing the opportunity for members to advertise in the new Year Book.We will be including a limited number of adverts and would like to offer members first refusal. You will need to provide your own A5 page/flyer (portrait or landscape) and the cost is $200. The advert will be put in the first print run of 150 year books which will be given to members at our September meeting and included in any yearbooks issued to new members joining after that. We would need your adverts no later than 1st September. If you already have an A5 flyer/advert, we can insert that too. Contact Alli, or any member of the Committee for more details or if you wish to have your ad included.

Non-members will also be invited to advertise:  Contact us for more details.
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Upcoming events

8/11/2015

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We have a burgeoning calendar of events to look forward when we return in September. Of course some are still in the planning stages but the following are so far confirmed.

Tour of Nestle Factory - 16th September. A guided tour, hopefully some samples and a short tour of St Joseph, Trinidad's first capital on the way back. Transport provided (sufficient numbers allowing). We are taking names now, please email us.


Candle Making Course - 15th October at my home in Moka. A great activity day with expert tuition and all the equipment and supplies required to make votive, container and floating candles. Refreshments provided. Bring and share lunch. Only 10 places available. Start Christmas creating rather than Christmas shopping! Further dates will be added if demand requires. Cost to be advised but we have negotiated a great discount for club members


JAMES BOND PREMIER - 5th November. This is going to be a spectacular event. Spectre is the much anticipated 24th Bond movie and the UKWC will be hosting the event at Movietowne. There will be fantastic prizes for the best dressed Bond, Bond Girl and Bond Villian and lots of door and raffle prizes too.

More events and activities to follow!


Alli Hipkin
President UKWC
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Tea at the Hyatt

7/14/2014

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A group of UKWC ladies recently enjoyed a scrumptious afternoon tea organised by British Airways and the Hyatt.

Picture
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Movie Premiere - Philomena 18th March 2014

2/18/2014

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Picture
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STOP PRESS! Movie Premier Fundraiser

2/7/2014

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We are happy to announce a fundraiser Movie Premier - 'Philomena' on 18 March, 2014, at MovieTowne, POS. Starring Dame Judy Dench, it's a must-see! Line up all your friends to buy tickets. More details to follow soon.
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February Monthly Meeting - Date change!!

2/7/2014

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MONTHLY MEETING -  CHANGED FEBRUARY DATE
THURSDAY 20TH FEBRUARY - 9.30AM 
BALLROOM, THE OVAL
Tragarete Road Entrance

We look forward to welcoming everyone

B Gregoire
Tel: 7514947
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BBQ Pig Family Day

6/26/2013

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Its summer and not everyone is leaving the Island, so come along and have a fun family day with the UKWC members and no members.
 
Caroline has booked the Rugby club venue for the BBQ Pig, this will be Saturday 13th July from 3pm-7pm.
 
The cost will be $2500 for the pig and $500 for staff.
 
it will be a pay as you go bar, I think wine is allowed, but a corkage fee will apply. Everyone will be encouraged to bring a side dish to accompany the BBQ Pig. 
 
This is an invite for all members families and friends so yes non members are encouraged to come along.
 
if we can get 50 people that will work out at a cost of $60 per head.
 
So please make this a fun, memorable event and come and enjoy good food with friends!

Please let us know asap if you would like to come along! Contact us.
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Stop Press!! New location for UKWC monthly meetings

6/11/2013

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This is a reminder to you that our monthly meeting on Thursday 13th June is at our new venue in the President's Box at the Oval. Parking is available in the Jaffa car park accessed off Tragarete Road. The Presidents Box is on the 4th floor, you may take the lift or the stairs. I will ensure a member of the committee is downstairs to guide you in the right direction. We are having snacks and drinks catered by Joe Brown of Jaffa. Please be reminded that the fee for the meeting has increased to $60 per head. The speaker is going to talk about body language in different cultures. Do come along and bring a friend. This will be the last meeting before the summer break so I hope to see as many people as possible there.
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    Rachel Lee Young, member since 2000, past President, past Welcoming Chairman, member of Fundraising and Welfare committees, official UKWCTT photographer, ad hoc ticket designer, editor of UKWC Year Book, professional photographer at RAPSO Imaging Ltd, Mum of two boys!

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